Oasis Safeguarding Statement of Intent

Oasis Charitable Trust is wholly committed to ensuring that all children and adults at risk who engage with Oasis activities across the Oasis group through its subsidiaries (Oasis UK, Oasis Community Learning, Oasis College, Oasis Community Partnerships, Oasis Aquila Housing and STOP THE TRAFFIK), are cared for in a safe and secure environment. To fulfil this commitment, a number of safeguarding arrangements are in place.

Policy and Procedures

We will ensure all policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding children are up to date and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2018. The policies are accessible to all staff through the Oasis Zone and Academies Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Policies and procedures are reviewed and revised by the Oasis Board of Trustees on a regular basis.

All policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding children are up to date and accessible to all staff through the Oasis Zone and Academies Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Policies and procedures are reviewed and revised by the Oasis Board of Trustees on a regular basis.

Board of Trustees Responsibilities

As delegated by the Board of Trustees, the Oasis Group Chief Executive is the lead for Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk and has oversight of the Oasis Group Policy Committee which reports to the Board on all Safeguarding issues.

Oasis is associated with the local Safeguarding Children Board of each Local Authority in which it operates. Any issues related to safeguarding children will be discussed at these boards as required.

Disclosure & Barring Checks

Oasis meets statutory requirements in relation to Disclosure & Barring Service – all staff and volunteers who work with Oasis who meet the ‘regulated activity test’ (Freedoms Act 2012) is required to undergo an enhanced DBS check prior to employment.

Safeguarding Leads/Child Protection Officers

The Board of Trustees for Oasis Charitable Trust has ultimate responsibility for Safeguarding issues. Operationally, this responsibility is delegated to the Group Chief Executive, who leads on policy issues in relation to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk across the Oasis Group. Within each subsidiary/operational area of activity across the Oasis Group there are Safeguarding Leads/Child Protection Officers who lead on Child Protection issues within their relevant location. They are clear about their role, have sufficient time and receive relevant support, and training, to undertake their roles, which includes close contact with outside agencies including social services, the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and relevant health care organisations.

Training

All eligible staff and volunteers are required to undertake relevant safeguarding training and this is regularly reviewed by each lead in the Oasis subsidiaries to ensure it is up to date. A training database for all staff and volunteers is maintained, while training needs are reviewed as part of individual performance reviews and more broadly throughout the organisation by audit. The last training strategy review occurred through the Safeguarding Steering Group in January 2015.

Audit

Oasis has robust audit checklists to ensure that safeguarding systems and processes are working. The audit includes: the monitoring of Academies Single Central Record, the monitoring of Child Protection & Adults at Risk Policies and Procedures including, ‘Allegations against Professionals’ and the monitoring of training for all employees and volunteers, guidance and support. The Oasis audit will be undertaken in December for reporting in January. When necessary, Oasis will take part in relevant audits with partner agencies including those from relevant Local Authorities.